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Water? So confused!

One day last week, I didn't have enough milk pumped for my day at work. We didn't have any formula or money to buy it, so I told DH to water down her bottles just a tad bit so she would make it until I got home. I seriously couldn't think of anything else to do. And it was just a tiny bit, like less than an ounce per three ounce bottle was water. So he told me when I got home that she did great with that. He told me just a few minutes ago that he had been trying an experiment based on that since then. He's been putting a tiny bit of water in one bottle each day since then, and he says she seems happier and spits up less after that bottle in comparison to the others. How bad is this and why? She's still doing fine with dipes and nursing wonderfully. Is it possible that my milk is too rich for her? She's almost four months, btw.

That's very dangerous to do to a baby under 6 months old. :(
You'd be surprised how little water it takes to cause water intoxication, which can be deadly.
How long are you gone for? And how much are you leaving? Baby only needs 1-1.25oz per hour you're away, in bottles no larger than 3oz.

That's not a good idea for many reasons. In addition to the potential for water intoxication, its also filling her up with nothing when she needs to be getting nutrients from every drop at that age. Water shouldn't be given until the baby is on solids. Your milk cannot be too rich, its perfect for your baby.

Quoting Baby_Avas_Momma: That's very dangerous to do to a baby under 6 months old. :( You'd be surprised how little water it takes to cause water intoxication, which can be deadly. How long are you gone for? And how much are you leaving? Baby only needs 1-1.25oz per hour you're away, in bottles no larger than 3oz.

I'm usually gone for 8 hours, but I don't always feed her right before I leave because she's usually asleep (not the case on this day, I woke her up to make sure she ate). She usually takes about 10-12 oz while I'm gone, so 1.25-1.5oz. And he never puts more than 3oz in a bottle. I did make the connection that she's been waking up at night since he's been doing this, which she wasn't doing before. So if for no other reason...

Ok tell him no more water, its called water intoxication....meaning death. His little science experiments are causing malnourishment, electrolyte inbalances, and eventually seizures and death...yes only a few ounces a day can do this!

Your bm is over 75% water!

Nurse before you leave tell hubby to give three two oz bottles and nurse when you get home. Baby will be fine.

Baby should be getting 8-10 oz bottles. So thats part of the problem. I'd also look at possibly making them smaller. My little ones prefered 2oz bottles every 2 hours cause thats similar to their eating pattern while i'm around.

If she's been asleep for a long time before I leave, she needs more than that, doesn't she? He feeds her on demand just like I do, and it's never more than 3oz.

Quoting melindabelcher:

Baby should be getting 8-10 oz bottles. So thats part of the problem. I'd also look at possibly making them smaller. My little ones prefered 2oz bottles every 2 hours cause thats similar to their eating pattern while i'm around.

That's not a good idea for many reasons. In addition to the potential for water intoxication, its also filling her up with nothing when she needs to be getting nutrients from every drop at that age. Water shouldn't be given until the baby is on solids. Your milk cannot be too rich, its perfect for your baby.

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